Gambling News by House of Odds

Gov. Ed Rendell on Wednesday signed legislation to let Pennsylvania's
slot-machine parlors serve unlimited free alcoholic drinks to gamblers - a
measure that allows an exception to the state's current limit of one free
drink per person. Rendell, however, said he expects state gambling
regulators to include "control mechanisms" in licensing agreements with the
operators of gambling establishments, such as possibly limiting the
per-person distribution of drinks to one per hour.
"Virtually every gaming operation around the world has this amenity, but
there are rules and regulations that control it and limit it," Rendell said
at a news conference on another topic. "There is a tendency ... to think
that these gaming institutions or gaming businesses want people to get
falling-down, sloppy drunk so that they'll lose more money. That isn't the
case." The bill passed 27-22 in the Senate and 112-75 in the House on Nov.
21, before the Legislature adjourned for the year, ending its two-year
session. Proponents of the measure say it is necessary to allow
Pennsylvania's gambling establishments to compete with those in other states
where around-the-clock free drinks are customary.Under current law, the
state's horse racing tracks cannot serve any free drinks, and other licensed
establishments, such as bars and restaurants, can serve up to one free drink
per patron.The bill will allow 14 slots parlors, including the ones at
racetracks, to serve free drinks during the hours that licensed liquor
establishments can serve them, from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Lawmakers who opposed
the bill called it both irresponsible and unfair to other establishments
that serve alcohol.